Investigation continues as Himelrick's family waits

Janice Timmons holds a photo of her granddaughter, Shasta Himelrick, whose body was recovered from the Scioto River eight days after she was last seen by her family Christmas night.(Photo: Frank Robertson/Gazette)Buy Photo

CHILLICOTHE – It has been a little over a month since Shasta Himelrick disappeared and her body was discovered in the Scioto River.

For members of Himelrick's family, that month of waiting for even the slightest bit of new information about what took place surrounding her death has made the possibility of closure seem far away.

Janice Timmons, Himelrick's maternal grandmother, said trying to move on while so many questions remain has not been easy.

"You can't believe it," Timmons said. "In my mind, she's still here."

The circumstances of Himelrick's death have yet to be determined, according to the Ross County Sheriff's Office.

She was last seen alive by her family Christmas night, when she visited her other grandmother and left after receiving a text message, promising to return. Himelrick was captured on a security camera at an East Main Street gas station before her vehicle was located — abandoned, out of gas, with a dead battery and with the doors open — on a bridge at Higby and Three Locks roads. Her body was recovered from the Scioto River eight days after she had been reported missing.

The Ross County coroner has determined drowning was the cause of death. The question of what led to her drowning is what plagues the Himelrick family.

Timmons and her husband, Gary Timmons, have six grandchildren, including Himelrick. Timmons said she and Himelrick played soccer, and she the young woman was gifted musically with the piano and guitar. The pair used to attend church together as well.

As the sheriff's office works the case, information has been scarce, Timmons said. The investigation is awaiting a toxicology report on Himelrick's body from the coroner.

Emily Schmidt, administrative assistant to Sheriff George Lavender, said a toxicology report can sometimes take up to 10 weeks to complete.

"Once we get it back, we will know a lot more," Schmidt said. "Once the coroner informs us, we will make a call to the family."

Himelrick had a history with drugs, Timmons said, and had served five months at the Ross County Jail after admitting to possessing drug paraphernalia.

"She never talked much about the drugs," Timmons said. "The only thing she would say about drugs is that she was really trying to stay off of them."

Timmons said Himelrick had sought counseling to help with her addiction and seemed to be working toward becoming drug-free. Himelrick, who would have turned 21 on Feb. 22, had told Timmons she was pregnant a few weeks before she disappeared.